MASSILLON - Colleen F. Tharp, 78, of Massillon passed away on Sunday, June 3, 2012 after several months of heart disease and a stroke shortly after Christmas.
Born on June 8, 1933 to the late James and Olive Kirby, Colleen grew up in Salem, Ohio and was Valedictorian of Salem High School in 1951. She excelled in vocal music and as a piano musician and was awarded the coveted Marie Burns Award in Music at the age of 18.
She married Gene D. Lynch of Massillon, Ohio and had three children. She was a "Hello Girl" for Ohio Bell and retired from Ohio Bell as a Service Representative in 1991. She was Past President of American Business Woman Association. She was a member of Hadasa Chapter of Eastern Star and supported the Massillon Tiger Swing Band and the Washington High School Chorus as a booster parent in the 1970s. Colleen was very active in her church, First Christian Church in Massillon and served as an Elder, Deacon and Deaconess, Sunday School teacher, past chair of the board, youth choir director and devoted member of the choir.
Other than her parents, Colleen was preceded in death by her uncle David Kirby. She will be greatly missed by her husband of 39 years, Alvin F. Tharp; daughter Karen L. (Randy) Curtis of Vienna, Va.; sons Gary (Gayle) Lynch of Massillon and John K. Lynch of Stuart, Fla.; grandchildren Allen and Christie Lynch, Kevin and Rebecca Curtis, David and Heather Lynch; and great grandson Camden A. Lynch.
Collen was known as grandma to Penelopie, Nicoletta and Michael Kourouniotis and known lovingly as "Twinks" to countless youth in the community.
Funeral Services will be held at noon Saturday, June 9, 2012at First Christian Church with Rev. Dr. John States officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens.
Friends and family may call at Atkinson Feucht Hare Funeral Home, Massillon Chapel on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and one hour prior to the funeral service on Saturday from 11 a.m. to noon at the church. To sign the on-line guestbook or to share a fond memory of Colleen please visit www.atkinsonfeucht.com.
6/6/12
(Paid obituary)
